The mountain bike test will be held from October 7 to 11 in the Tabernas Desert
MADRID, 21 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The runners Konny Looser, winner of the last two editions in Morocco, and his wife Vera Looser, and the Spanish Josep Betalú, quadruple winner also in Morocco, Óscar Pujol, Manuel Beltrán and Iván Raña, among others, will compete in the III Skoda Titan Desert Almería, the mountain bike event from October 7 to 11 in the Tabernas Desert.
This was announced by the organizers at the official presentation of the test, held this Wednesday at the Provincial Palace of Almería, with the presence of the president of the Provincial Council of Almería, Javier Aureliano García Molina; the Councilor for Sports of the Almería City Council, Juan José Segura; the CEO of the Titan World Series, Jesús García; and former cyclist Manuel ‘Triki’ Beltrán.
From the world of the route, the platoon will be represented by runners who are still active, such as the Andalusian climber Luis Ángel Maté, or historical ones such as Manuel ‘Triki’ Beltrán, winner of the Volta a Catalunya in 1999.
On what will be his second participation in the Skoda Titan Desert Almería, ‘Triki’ Beltrán has pointed out that the Titan Desert Almería is one of the “most special” tests in which he has competed both on the road and in the mountains. “It breathes that Andalusian aroma that makes me feel at home. I can’t ask for more,” she said.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE SOUTH
The sporting challenge that the ‘titans’ will have to face will be 370 kilometers and more than 7,000 meters of positive elevation gain, divided into four stages and a prologue, played entirely in the province of Almería, and in which the Tabernas desert will once again be the great protagonist.
“It is unique because, although it only has three editions, we feel it is ours like no other. Our home is also in Morocco and it is in NEOM, but nowhere do we feel as much at home as here. It is our Almería, our Andalusia, which offers that special mix of adventure and familiarity that cannot be explained,” explained Jesús García, CEO of the Titan World Series.
For his part, Joan Massallé, Skoda Spain Sponsoring & Events Manager, has framed the Skoda Titan Desert Almería within the “outstanding” commitment that the Czech motorsport brand has with cycling. “Whether amateur or professional, national and international, road or mountain. Skoda is wherever the bicycle is. Accompanying the peloton and contributing our grain of sand to make the world of two wheels bigger”, he pointed out.
The president of the Provincial Council of Almería stressed the importance of the race for the province. “It is such a different test that allows us to show unique treasures. In just five days, the ‘Costa de Almería’ destination offers its desert, unique in Europe; Cabo de Gata, its mountains, its climate and its love of sport as one of the most privileged enclaves in the world to enjoy it throughout the year. There is so much to discover in Almería, and we love doing it every year with the Skoda Titan Desert”, he commented.
The Councilor for Sports of the Almería City Council recalled that the province is a “territory of reference for the practice of sport and, especially, cycling.” “It is no coincidence that each year national and international tests grow in the region. The presence of the Skoda Titan Desert Almería here is a source of pride, but it is also the result of years of work for sustainability and health in our citizens,” he added.
Regarding the value of the autonomous community as a sports tourist destination, the delegate of the Government of the Andalusian Government, Aránzazu Martín, said that “it is no coincidence” that Andalusia was in 2021 the European Region of Sports. “We are a reference in this field. Proof of this is that, through the Ambassador Challenge, we seek to encourage the practice of sport among Andalusians and promote the best local cyclists”, she highlighted.